There's no doubt that the Citroen DS3 pair makes an unmistakable fashion statement, with its unique profile highlighted by the floating roof, and odd-shaped shark fin-shaped B pillars. Its standout looks mimic no other car.

Inside the premium materials, hooded facia over the gauges, alloy wheels, carbon dash, and sports seats (which could do with additional torso-hugging bolsters) are more than a nod to the DS's sporty inclinations but these mean nothing without a level of enthusiasm from beneath the bonnet. Strong dynamics are the other prerequisite.

The engine's driveability and willingness down low in the rev range is more than pleasing. Though it's hard to notice the extra 6kW it now has over the superseded DS3, the flattened torque band which means it now operates at its 240Nm peak between 1400- and  4000rpm is a winner. Acceleration isn't stunning, but it is more than lively. It easily motors up an incline at 1800rpm, and then steadily accelerate before really starting to haul from 2500 rpm.

With positive contributions from the reconfigured engine and turbo and introduction of Stop/Start, the DS3 hatch and the cabrio each have quoted zero to 100km/h times of 7.5 secs and combined fuel figures of 5.6 litres per 100km (down from 6.0 previously). It helps too that the DS3 hatch weighs a slim 1140kgs and the cabrio just 25 kilos more.

Road holding is excellent even when the enthusiasm level is cranked up a few notches. The ride, like the version it replaces, is still firm but not uncomfortable. It doesn't crash over the big bumps either.

Brakes are excellent with handy pedal feel. The steering, though, could offer a little more road sensation.  And the driving position, with a high brake pedal, might take some time to get really comfortable with, especially if you have grasshopper legs.

We're happy to report we didn't get to try the Active City Braking in an emergency but can advise it operates on two levels: crash avoidance (up to 27km/h) and crash mitigation (between 28 and 30km/h), before switching off at speeds of 31km/h and above.

The cabrio is a little noisier than the fixed roof DS3 – no shock there – but apart from a tiny, occasional jigging on coarse surfaces, seems as competent dynamically as the hatch.

The electrically operated roof can be opened (in 11 secs) or closed (in 16 secs) at up to 120km/h. With the roof lowered, wind noise is better than you might imagine, thanks to a small pop-up flap at the leading edge.

The rear seats are really only for the vertically challenged, but the boot is claimed be a best in class 285 litres.  The hatch has 60/40 split rear seatbacks. The opening to the boot of the soft top is a smallish port hole through which to stow tour gear. The spare is a space saver.

The simplified choices of engine and gearbox leave punters with just a couple of decisions – hatch or cabrio … and which roof design to opt for.

2015 Citroen DS3 Hatch and DS3 Cabrio pricing and specifications

Price: $33,990 and $36,590 (plus on-road costs)

On sale: Now

Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 121kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 240Nm at 1400-4000rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual, FWD

Fuel consumption: 5.6L/100km  (129g/km)